When I was 10 years old we got our first dog. There was no discussion about what breed it would be, when my father was growing up his neighbours had 2 Rough Collies, so there would be no other breed. Our first collie was found with the help of Shirley Toothill (Aberhill) and was a son of her Ch Arranbrook Mr Chips of Aberhill and a much loved family pet.

In 1994 we had 2 collies from Collie Rescue, one of whom I took to an exemption show and got a 4th. That is probably where is all started! Following an illness my parents agreed I could have another collie, but this time one I could show. I got back in touch with Shirley Toothill and she let me have Aberhill Cheeky Miss at Takhisis on 4th November 1994. 2 weeks later we went to our first show, Keighley & District Canine Society, and despite being the blind leading the blind we came home with a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd. Over time we started working as a team, made easier because Cheeky Miss was a natural showgirl who loved food. Over the years she won several BOB’s, RBIS three times at General Open Shows and RBIS twice at Breed Club Open show and a RCC under Jack Bispham at Birmingham National in 1997.

ABERHILL CHEEKY MISS AT TAKHISIS

Cheeky Miss had 2 litters; her first was by Aberhill Glamour Boy, from which I kept the sables, Takhisis Cheeky Chappie and Takhisis Cheeky Madam. I had a lot of fun showing both of these at open and championship show level, with Cheeky Chappie winning his Stud Book Number. Cheeky Miss retired from the ring in 2005, aged 11 ½ , following a successful career as a veteran. She died in February 2007 having suffered a stroke whilst playing in the garden. I was so lucky to have owned her, everything I have achieved at Takhisis is down to her and I can never thank her and Shirley enough – sleep well.

In 1996 I had well and truly caught the bug and bought another bitch from Shirley and Glenda, this time the tricolour Aberhill Lady Luck at Takhisis. Again she won well at the local shows, winning many BP and BOB awards, and her Junior Warrant, and was also well placed at championship shows, winning several stud book placings. She was a wonderful producer and loved being a mum. In her second litter, by Ch Aberhill Bluwatch, a tri bitch caught my eye. She became Takhisis Lady Eloise. Her blue brother, Takhisis Top of the Glen, went to a local exhibitor, Peter Hodgson, who campaigned him with great success at open shows, winning many BP, BOB, 2 BPIS and 2 RBIS. Her tri sister, Takhisis Lady Jane, went to Mel and Christine Blacknell of Sablepark collies.

TAKHISIS LADY ELOISE
Ch Aberhill Bluwatch x Aberhill Lady Luck at Takhisis

Unfortunately Eloise took a dislike to the ring soon after winning BPIS at the Yorkshire Collie Club Championship show under Doreen Clark, but like her mum turned out to be a wonderful mother. In her first litter she produced Takhisis Lady Penelope and in her second litter, to Lynaire Solid Gold, she produced the tri-colours, Takhisis Lady Eliza and Takhisis Back in Black JW (Baxter). After maternal duties we tried her in the ring again, this time in Belfast under Michael Gaunt, with her children. We had a wonderful day, Baxter was BPD, Eliza was 2nd MPB, another tri bitch I had, Molly, won PB and Eloise surprised us all by winning 1st OB and her Stud Book number, despite looking as miserable as sin! After this we decided to leave her at home!

TAKHISIS BACK IN BLACK JW
[Lynaire Solid Gold x Takhisis Lady Eloise]

Lady Eliza had a nice start to her career, winning PB at Crufts under John Blake, Baxter also came 3rd in his class under Alan Clark so it was a day to remember. Baxter had a lovely puppy career and won his Junior Warrant by winning numerous BP and BOB awards. He was also BPD at Collie Association Championship show under Duna Jones and BPIS the next day at Midland Collie Open under Michael Boothroyd. However over the years he became more like his mother and his own worst enemy in the ring. Despite this, however, he was consistently well placed at Open and Championship shows and won the RCC under Lyn Westby at Yorkshire Collie in 2006.

In March 2003 I saw 2 blue bitches being advertised by Duna Jones, Erjon collies. They were by Lynaire the Blacksmith out of Erjon Ermine Blue, and as I read the ad I thought this would match Baxter’s breeding nicely. I arranged a visit and came home with Chrissie, Erjon Esteemed Blue. She was a delight and full of life and mischief, a real joy to own.

ERJON ESTEEMED BLUE
[Lynaire The Blacksmith x Erjon Ermine Blue]

In June 2004 she produced her litter by Baxter and a blue bitch stood out from an early age – she became my beautiful Lady Lucia. In 2006 I mated Chrissie to Ch Erjon Ebony Byron JW and kept a blue dog, Takhisis High Voltage. After this it became apparent that Chrissie wanted all the attention and so we found her a wonderful home with a man who works with the military, and together they travel the world, including Iraq, Columbia and the Falklands.

Lady Lucia’s career started with a bang! At 7 months old she was BOB, RBIS & BPIS at Lancashire and Cheshire Open show under Lyn Salt. She followed this by winning her classes at Working & Pastoral Breeds Wales (BPB), WELKS (BPB), Lancashire & Cheshire Championship show, Scottish Collie Championship show and culminating in BP and RCC at SKC under Wendy Smith. In October 2005 she produced a litter by Lynaire the Blacksmith, from which I have a blue bitch, Lady Eleanor.

CH TAKHISIS LADY LUCIA, 5 C.C's, 7 R.C.C's
[Takhisis Back in Black JW x Erjon Esteemed Blue]

Lucy returned to the ring in fine style in 2006 by being well placed in all her classes, and winning a further RCC at Border Union under Isobel Douglas and our first ever CC at Richmond under Liz Robinson. 2007 brought her second CC and BOB at Windsor under Michael Gaunt, 2 further RCC’s under Vic Salt at WKC and Jo Bispham at Richmond, culminating in her crown at Darlington under Rod Slater, my first champion, a day I’ll never forget.

In the meantime her younger brother, Takhisis High Voltage, Panda, had had a steady puppy career. During 2008 both of them were consistently well placed, highlights being RCC’s for Lucy at SKC under Eleanor Kitchen, Leeds under Roz Makepeace, CC & BOB at Border Union under Rene Cozens and BOB and BIS at the British Collie Championship Show under Lyn Salt and Joan Sykes. In September 2008 they both went to Ireland where Tony Iley gave Lucy the RCC at Irish Collie and John Basing gave the RCC to Panda and the CC & BOB to Lucy at Belfast – what a weekend

TAKHISIS HIGH VOLTAGE [Panda]
1. RCC Hip Score 5.4.
[Ch Erjon Ebony Byron JW x Erjon Esteemed Blue]

In 2008 Lady Eleanor produced a litter to a French dog, People Black de Midland Valley, from which I have kept another blue bitch, Lady Elektra. All of these bitches can be traced back to Aberhill Lady Luck at Takhisis and it hoped that there will be many more generations to come.